Meaning & use

reform

verb·Academic

To improve something, especially a law, system, or institution, by removing its faults.

See it in a sentence

Lawmakers voted to reform the tax code to make it fairer for small businesses.

The new warden worked hard to reform the prison's outdated disciplinary system.

A note on using this word

"Reform" implies correcting flaws in an existing system, unlike "revolutionize," which suggests replacing it entirely.

Words with a similar meaning

improveamend

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A change made to a law, system, or organization in order to improve it.

The healthcare reform expanded coverage to millions of previously uninsured citizens.

Make it your own

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